"Embrace the journey,
not just the destination."
-Lily Diaz
I am PCDT John Lloyd S Gomez, 22 years old, a proud Bicolano residing in a peaceful village in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon. I studied at Bacon West Central School (BWCS) during my elementary days, spent 4 years in junior high school at Sorsogon State University- Laboratory High School (SSU-LHS), and graduated senior high school with a strand of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at St. Louise de Marillac College of Sorsogon (SLMCS).
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I came from a middle-class family where my mother worked as a teacher and my father worked as an auto technician. Looking at them, I see a thousand reasons why I should keep pursuing my dreams. Their happiness at being proud of me for my achievements is my definition of success. I defined success as happiness, not just in me but also seeing happiness in other people.
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I took the Philippine National Police Academy Cadetship Admission Test (PNPACAT) on October 2018. I passed the examination, completed the different phases of screening, and became a member of the PNPA MASIDTALAK CL of 2023.
From the very first day of training, we are pushed to our limits physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our days are filled with a rigorous schedule of classes, physical training, drills, and various other tasks that are designed to develop our leadership skills and prepare us for a career in police service.
Life inside the PNPA is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to put in the hard work and dedication required, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. As a cadet, I am proud to be part of this esteemed institution and to have the opportunity to serve my country as a future law enforcement officer.
The 2nd Platoon Leader of Foxtrot Company
"We leap for a change to make a difference" -Foxtrot Company Motto
The Foxtrot Company Motto, "We leap for a change to make a difference," embodies the core values of leadership - the desire to take bold action and make a positive impact on the world around us. In my experience, effective leadership requires a combination of vision, courage, and a commitment to serving others.
It involves taking risks, being willing to learn from mistakes, and maintaining a relentless focus on achieving meaningful goals. With the right mindset and approach, we can indeed leap for a change and make a difference in the world around us.
According to one of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell is that “Leadership is influence”. Leadership is an influence in a way leaders are not those who simply have a title or authority over others, but rather those who can inspire and guide people towards a common goal. Influence is a powerful tool that can be used to motivate and inspire others to take action, and it is a key component of successful leadership.
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During my life as a second-class cadet, the hardest decision was to choose the position of a cadet officer I will aspire. I aspired to become a Foxtrot Company 2nd Platoon Leader because I wanted to exercise the duties and responsibilities of a platoon leader such as ensuring discipline, control, proficiency, and efficiency of the members of my platoon. Also, supervises and implements orders, policies, and instructions within the platoon.
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Lastly, the Foxtrot Company is always ready for change because we were trained to be adaptable, resilient, and forward-thinking leaders who can respond to challenges and opportunities as they arise. From the very first day of training, we are taught about the importance of agility and flexibility in the face of changing circumstances.
This quote suggests that it is not necessarily physical strength or intelligence that guarantees success in a given environment, but rather the ability to adapt to changes in that environment. Those who are able to adjust and evolve in response to changing circumstances are more likely to survive and thrive.​
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As a PNPA cadet, I fully embrace Charles Darwin's quote, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change." This quote resonates with me because I believe that it speaks to the importance of resilience, flexibility, and adaptability in leadership.
In the constantly evolving world of law enforcement and public service, it is essential to be able to respond to changing circumstances and emerging challenges. This requires a willingness to learn from experience, be open to new ideas, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth.
As a cadet, I am constantly learning how to be an effective leader in an ever-changing world. I am taught to be agile, adaptable, and forward-thinking, to anticipate and respond to the needs of the community I serve. I am also trained to be proactive and to take a strategic approach to problem-solving, recognizing that the most effective solutions often require creativity and a willingness to think outside the box.
In conclusion, Darwin's quote is a powerful reminder that true strength and intelligence lie not in our ability to cling to the status quo, but in our ability to adapt and evolve in the face of change. As a PNPA cadet, I am committed to developing the skills and mindset necessary to be an adaptable and effective leader, one who is always ready to meet the challenges of the future.
“A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.”-Jack Dempsey
The quote "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't" by Jack Dempsey means that a true champion is not someone who never fails or faces adversity, but rather someone who has the resilience and determination to get back up and keep pushing forward even when faced with difficult challenges or setbacks. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles in order to achieve one's goals and become a true champion.​
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This quote reminds me that as a leader, I will inevitably face challenges and setbacks, and that it is not the challenges themselves, but how I respond to them that will determine my success. A champion is someone who refuses to give up, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.
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As a cadet in the PNPA, this mindset is especially important, as our training is rigorous and demanding. There will be times when we feel like we can't go on, when the physical and mental demands of our training may seem too great. However, if we can find the strength to push through these challenges and get up when we feel like we can't, we will emerge stronger and more resilient as leaders.
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The physical training in PNPA can be extremely challenging and can test the limits of a cadet's physical capabilities. However, the quote encourages me to keep pushing myself and to never give up, even when my bodies feel like it can't go on. By adopting this mindset. I can not only excel in their physical training but also develop the mental fortitude and resilience needed to be successful leaders in the PNP.
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As future leaders in the Philippine National Police, we must be champions not only in our own training but in our service to our community. We must have the strength and determination to persevere through difficult situations, and the resilience to bounce back from setbacks. With a champion mindset, we can overcome any obstacle and lead our teams to success.